Democrats Work To Avoid 2008 Primary Strife
EmailABC News' David Chalian reports: One year after the country got an in-depth lesson on "superdelegates," the Democratic Party may consider doing away with them in the future. It was just over one year ago when Barack Obama accumulated more delegates than Hillary Clinton, causing the former first lady to end her historic campaign to become the Democratic presidential nominee. But there is no rest for the weary. The lengthy, expensive, and often divisive 2008 Democratic nominating process caused the launch of a Democratic National Committee review of how to tweak the primary and caucus process to avoid some of the pitfalls exposed in the Obama vs. Clinton battle royale last year. That review began today at the inaugural meeting of the DNC's "Change Commission" in Washington, D.C. Of course, to the winner goes the spoils and it is now Barack Obama's Democratic party. Any changes made to the nominating system will, no doubt, reflect the Obama world view of the process such as reducing the influence of superdelegates. At the beginning of today's meeting, the co-chair of the Change Commission Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., described the group's mission as focused on "changing the window of time in which primaries and caucuses may be held, reducing the number of superdelegates, and improving the caucus system." The Change Commission spent its first gathering on a fact-finding mission hearing presentations from various experts and scholars on the nomination process. Touching on what may prove to be one of the more contentious issues considered by the DNC, one presenter, Democratic Party activist and Harvard University lecturer and former superdelegate Elaine Kamarck, suggested that it may be time to completely eliminate superdelegates since most of those party leaders clearly determined their role in 2008 to be one of ratifying the decision made by voters in primaries and caucuses. "We can probably let go of the superdelegates," said Kamarck. "Their deliberative role," she added, "has in fact been supplanted by a very very public process." In addition to the future of superdelegates, the quadrennial turf war over which states get to go first in the nomination season will be up for discussion with Iowa and New Hampshire once again posed to defend their influential role in selecting presidential nominees. Iowa's role in launching the Obama candidacy will likely go a long way in protecting its status. Ms. Kamarck warned the commission about engaging "in an endless fight in who goes first" and suggested instead that the members change their thinking and focus on how to "equalize the importance of other voters in other states down the line." The thirty-seven member commission made up of many Obama campaign organizers, state party chairs, representatives of labor, elected officials, and Democratic Party activists must finish its work by the end of the year when it will issue its recommendations to the DNC's Rules and Bylaws Committee.
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Looks to me like they’re going to pick the candidate (again), tell us who the candidate will be (again), and hope that we didn’t change our party affiliation from democratic to independent (after 25 years, no less) after the exhibition of manipulation and suppression that they demonstrated in 2008 AND the lack of leadership they’ve demonstrated after attaining the White House, the Senate, and the House of Representatives.
Oops. They’re too late.
Posted by: jan | June 27, 2009, 2:39 pm 2:39 pm
The way they choose delegates doesn’t matter to me. The Democratic Party has become the Socialist Party of America. After 20 years of voting a straight Democratic ticket, I’m done.
Posted by: Dorcas | June 27, 2009, 3:59 pm 3:59 pm
I’m an Independent. I voted for Obama as a protest against 8 years of lousy governance by Bush and the Repubs in Congress. I thought no one could do worse. I was wrong. Obama and the Dems are going to bankrupt the country and nationalize everything. Plus, Obama is as corrupt as any other pol. I’m not too proud to say I was wrong, and will rectify my mistake in 2010/2012. (If McIdiot had selected Romney instead of Barbie from Alaska, he’d be sitting in the WH now, and the little Chia Pet over in North Korea wouldn’t be runnning his mouth every day.) Congratulations, idiot Repubs who thought Romney wasn’t quite “christian” enough for your tastes. How do you like the alternative?
Posted by: Tim B., Portland, Oregon | June 27, 2009, 4:05 pm 4:05 pm
Sure sign of a democratic voter…
Someone calling the democratic party socialist. Yeah. Right. (rolling my eyes over that whopper)
Posted by: jan | June 27, 2009, 4:41 pm 4:41 pm
They should get rid of Donna Brazile first.
Posted by: EML | June 27, 2009, 5:22 pm 5:22 pm
The party will do whatever the Obama
machine tells it to do…..and jump
smartly while doing it. “How high,oh
mighty leader?” will be the mantra.
Posted by: Trajan | June 27, 2009, 5:28 pm 5:28 pm
Sure sign of a democratic voter… Someone calling the democratic party socialist. Yeah. Right. (rolling my eyes over that whopper)
You’re right, Jan. A Democrat does not call the Democratic Party socialist. An EX-DEMOCRAT does.
Posted by: Dorcas | June 27, 2009, 5:30 pm 5:30 pm
Yeah, right. I know over the last 25 years, I’ve heard lots of voters call the democrats socialists. …Funny thing though, every single one of them was a republican.
All that spinning making you dizzy yet?
Posted by: jan | June 27, 2009, 5:36 pm 5:36 pm
I only wish they were Socialists. Nothing would make me happier. And besides, then they’d be just like the army!
Posted by: derridog | June 27, 2009, 5:55 pm 5:55 pm
Judging from the polls, the Independents don’t care for Obama’s socialist agenda. Looking good for Romney.
Posted by: Capitalist Tool | June 27, 2009, 7:09 pm 7:09 pm
Because of the super delegate [bleep] the only reason I didn’t vote McCain was his choice of Palin as VP. But she was what the RNC wanted, wasn’t she? I guess both sides control our choices. What the heck happened to “the people” choosing their leaders?
Posted by: LadyintheDark | June 27, 2009, 8:16 pm 8:16 pm
Someone suggested that Independents might like Romney. No. I am more offended by Republicans than I am Democrats but not thrilled by either. One of the things that gives me fits about the Right: Fearmongering, as in: “Eeek! A socialist!” (Or commie or whatever the fear of the moment may be.)
Posted by: LadyintheDark | June 27, 2009, 8:21 pm 8:21 pm
I think the Democrats will do whatever it takes to keep Obama in office. It was sad the way the StupidDelegates lined up against Hillary in the primaries. I’m a Democrat and now regret that I EVER voted for Obama. I feel he is trying to turn America into a “socaialist” country. Hillary would have been a much BETTER President. I will NEVER vote for Obama again….I pray that Americans will continue to rise up against Obama and his degrading of America.
Posted by: jogger | June 27, 2009, 9:19 pm 9:19 pm
jogger, don’t worry. He’ll be a one-term president, due to cap and trade, socialized medicine, etc. I know too many disillusioned Obama supporters. Some in my own family, I’m ashamed to say. But it sure does feel good to say I TOLD YOU SO!
Posted by: Sarah | June 27, 2009, 9:28 pm 9:28 pm
Sarah, anybody tell you they told you so on Bush? Because we could.
Posted by: FedUp | June 27, 2009, 11:52 pm 11:52 pm
SEC. OF STATE CLINTON GOT MY VOTE .
Posted by: DARSI | June 28, 2009, 4:24 am 4:24 am
Hillary was robbed of the nomination and the caucuses were a FARCE. I am sure race card playing Clyburne will ensure caucuses across the nation for 2012, so ACORN thugs can steal them again…
20 year Dem also and I am done with the party too…
Posted by: jedimom | June 28, 2009, 9:20 am 9:20 am
Hillary got my vote in the Wisconsin Primary, and unfortunately I voted for Obama in the General. I should have stayed true to myself and wrote Hillary’s name in the general. I am very disappointed in obama. He blasted Hillary for advocating manadtory Healthcare now he says his thinking has evolved(yeah after you win) He blasted McCain for proposing taxes on Healthcare benifits now Obama appears to be open to that idea. What sham. I hope you post this. Networks like Abc Cnn and Msnbc have lost their journalistic objectivity. I mean really abc had michelle on then Barack then aired a town hall meeting for barack? Pushing his agenda much? Obama just loves to be on tv, while other people in his administration like jime jones and Hillary clinton just want to get down to buisness. I am disappointed in the media that it would prefer to report on how Obama killed a fly or Bo Obama’s baseball card or what type of icecream obama’s little girls had than what or top diplomat is doing, or why Obama is firing people who question him.
Posted by: rachel | June 28, 2009, 9:54 am 9:54 am
I totally agree with the above posts. Obama secured the nomination with the lying of ACORN and the fact that the SuperDelegates wanted history to be made by electing an African-American President. I agree with the earlier post that Donna Bazille needs to go….she was in the tank for Obama from the beginning with absolutely no objectivity in the matter. Of course the Dems want to change the way the primaries are carried out, this is the only way to keep Obama in office. I did vote for Obama as well and now wish to God I hadn’t. This Cap & Trade is going to continue to bankrupct America. I regret voting for Obama, the “empty suit no substance” of a President. I pray that 2012 will come quickly so we can vote Obama out of office. Not sure if I will continue to vote as a Democrat….I feel becoming an Independent is more appealing. Whatever the case, Obama will NOT receive another vote from this Democrat!
Posted by: TiredOfObamaLies | June 28, 2009, 11:02 am 11:02 am
I see that the paid RNC bloggers are out in full force today. It is kinda weird because all of these comments basically say the same thing.
Posted by: AdamND | June 28, 2009, 11:12 am 11:12 am
Good! Nearly everybody knows that “Superdelegates” were a scam anyway.
Posted by: LongT | June 28, 2009, 12:07 pm 12:07 pm
Hey Adam, that’s probably because so many people feel the same way. They feel bamboozled. Mr HopeyChangeMcChangeyHope turned out to be just another politician who said one thing and then did something else.
Posted by: Kitty | June 28, 2009, 1:10 pm 1:10 pm
yea, sure kitty.
Posted by: AdamND | June 28, 2009, 1:39 pm 1:39 pm
“most of those party leaders clearly determined their role in 2008 to be one of ratifying the decision made by voters in primaries and caucuses.”
You do realize that Hillary got more votes than Obama?
Posted by: Crawdad | June 28, 2009, 2:28 pm 2:28 pm
After 20 years as a Democrat I am tired of SQL ERROR: SCRIPT ABORTED
Posted by: T | June 28, 2009, 4:32 pm 4:32 pm
AdamND:
Are you mad because no one pays YOU?
Posted by: Trajan | June 28, 2009, 5:50 pm 5:50 pm
Well here’s another one saying the same thing.Although I didn’t vote for the Fraudster.I voted Republican for the first time in my life only because I couldn’t stand the man the DNC and the media was shoving down my throat.
The racial card playing on the Clinton’s and the blatant misogyny perpetrated by BO and his cronies was the final straw that broke the camel’s back.Not to mention the sham of a roll call vote at the convention in Denver.
Every single man that has run for President has had his name placed in nomination.It was a given and a sign of respect.Not so for the first woman who received more votes than any person to ever run for the office.
Plus the May 31st,2008 RBC meeting that gave some of Hillary’s delegates to BO to ensure he would have enough to secure the nomination.Plus the millions of people in two states that were told their votes didn’t count and the strong arming at the caucuses and Black Panthers at the voting precincts along with the busing in of voters for same day registration and voting…
The list goes on and on.This is the most morally corrupt President and Administration in history.
Yep I am a 3rd generation dyed in the wool Democrat who had never even considered voting for a Republican and I proudly voted for McCain/Palin.I am through with the Democratic Party and until or unless they change and go back to the party of Truman I will thumb my nose at them.
I am an Indy and there are tons more out there that are just like me due to this sham of a primary and election. I will be voting for the person not the party in all future elections.Get used to it Dems, there are millions more where I am coming from.
Posted by: Leslie | June 28, 2009, 7:02 pm 7:02 pm
Oh Now they admit the superdelegate idiots were rediculous!!!! After electing the worst President this Country will EVER HAVE??? the hell with the democrates!
Posted by: lovingpolitics | June 28, 2009, 7:17 pm 7:17 pm
AdamND, I’ve been a democrat for 40 years. I am sure work I did in that time for the Democratic Party pales to anything you have done. I will never vote for Obama again. And there is now a long list of Democrats I will not vote for. But I will NOT vote for republicians. I guess I “busted down” to anybody but both of them. I have been “SHAKEN” into one vote, one person, use your brain, don’t listen to anybody but yourself.
Posted by: Dianna | June 28, 2009, 7:23 pm 7:23 pm
All the GOP can do is blame people and not come up with new good ideas.
Posted by: Josh from South Carolina | June 28, 2009, 11:59 pm 11:59 pm
Ican’t shake the feeling that Hillary will be the next president in 2012
Posted by: OMZO | June 29, 2009, 12:43 am 12:43 am
Then the world will see what an AMERICAN PRESIDENT really looks like
Posted by: OMZO | June 29, 2009, 12:45 am 12:45 am
No, we are all lifelong Democrats and feminists. Read my blog and my blogroll. We predicted everything that is happening now with Obama and the Democratic Party. Many of us said he was a conservative, a Republican with a D next to his name. Others were centrist Democrats who found his stimulus too big.
Posted by: donna darko | July 2, 2009, 11:51 pm 11:51 pm
They met and decided they want MORE caucuses and will not do anything to fix the disproportionate delegate distribution.
Posted by: annienyc | July 5, 2009, 4:17 pm 4:17 pm
I have to say that I was for Hillary, never for BO. Sometimes it’s just a gut feeling and he was scary to me and still is. I hate to say “I told you so” to anyone but I am very happy to hear that some can admit they made a whopper mistake. I really feel that all we can do is pray and pray hard. Our children and grandchildren and our elderly will PAY for those who voted for CHANGE. I did vote for the lesser of the evils – McCain. America needs to wake up and vote in mass for the third party — maybe some good stuff would happen.
Posted by: James | August 8, 2009, 9:35 pm 9:35 pm